What Small Things Did You Do Today to Save Money?

[tcu2003]

Jan 14, 2018 21:15:55 GMT -5 hopetoberich said:

Red lobster cheese biscuits mix is 13 cents per biscuit not uncluing the cheese. On sale. I now hsve 4 boxes enough for 100 biscuits. Won't be buying bread for a long time.

The cheddar cheese biscuit recipe in the Betty Crocker cookbook is super tasty and super easy if you ever want to give that a try.

[Iggy aka IG]

Thank you, Artemis Windsong!  I'll check them out.

hopetoberich, I envision you outside the rink wearing a lobster outfit.  Or at least a bib.    I love their biscuits, but am back on low carb.  For folks that are gluten free, etc., there are many cheddar cheese biscuit recipes online which use almond and/or coconut flour.  Good stuff!

Let's see.... Saving money.... Well, I stayed home all weekend, so that saved money.  After work Friday I stopped at the liquor store, but I tend to buy a lower shelf (but still quality) item, so that saves about $5.  DH unplugged the (LED) Christmas lights, so hopefully the electric bill will go down slightly.

Ah!  I know one:  We're on a well now, so water is even more of a sensitive issue than it was when we lived in the city with their high prices.  I rinse dishes and stack them up next to the sink, turn off the water, and *then* load the dishwasher.

I'm doing my monthly grocery shopping tonight and have coupons ready and downloaded e-coupons on my grocery shopper's card.  Sale items are on my list. 

[Artemis Windsong]

The weather is colder than cold and wind blowing.  I doddle around the house waiting for time to go to the Y to play pickle ball.  I wait by lobby until start time.  No one showed up.  Last week at a different gym, the time was changed to morning.  I know I need to get on their communication list but can't unless I see them.

The drive was not a total loss.  Gentle Yoga was at 11:00 a.m. so I slipped in.  I rechecked the gym and still no one there.

I am not driving north to my friend's for Martini Monday.  Gas savings there.  And less friction on the nervous system.

[countrygirl2]

The roads are bad here, hubs was out to see his mom. But other then that

we have been home. Oh he did pick up diesel for his diesel heater and

some extra gas in case we need the genny.

I have on Cuddle Duds tops and some fleecy bottoms, its warm in here

but not as warm as I like.

It's to get -2 tonight, son said it got -31 up there last night. He and DIL

don't seem to mind. Some of his friends were feeling bad for him, he

said its ok with him. The folks are nice, things are slower, and the summers

are beautiful.  He sent me some pictures and its very beautiful with all

the snow.  But them having a nice warm house really helps matters.

He is excited about getting out and just being able to do anything.  There

the shopping was limited and he was in an apartment, which neither

really liked so I'm sure this feels like freedom.

[wvugurl26]

Bought butter and milk at Walmart instead of the grocery store. We were already by it while running other errands.

I'm making the treats for my office's January birthday celebration instead of buying them. Much cheaper and I still have lots of supplies from where I made hundreds of cookies for my wedding.

Also eating free leftovers for dinner.

[countrygirl2]

What I left out was the point, LOL! The internet is so slow and bad

I can't even shop, therefore saving me money today.

[dee27]

Jan 15, 2018 17:59:49 GMT -5 countrygirl2 said:

The roads are bad here, hubs was out to see his mom. But other then that

we have been home. Oh he did pick up diesel for his diesel heater and

some extra gas in case we need the genny.

I have on Cuddle Duds tops and some fleecy bottoms, its warm in here

but not as warm as I like.

It's to get -2 tonight, son said it got -31 up there last night. He and DIL

don't seem to mind. Some of his friends were feeling bad for him, he

said its ok with him. The folks are nice, things are slower, and the summers

are beautiful.  He sent me some pictures and its very beautiful with all

the snow.  But them having a nice warm house really helps matters.

He is excited about getting out and just being able to do anything.  There

the shopping was limited and he was in an apartment, which neither

really liked so I'm sure this feels like freedom.

We cancelled an appointment this morning because there is black ice under the snow. The appointment was rescheduled. I am always cold because of a thyroid problem. If I am not lounging in flannel pajamas, I wear a sweatshirt, long pants, socks and winter slippers. DH jokes I should wear a knit cap and fingerless gloves, too.

[Apple]

Well, I saved money by not using a local company...  I had bought the furnace part on Amazon, with rush shipping included, for $20.  Normal price was $16.75, free shipping.  But, I needed it here asap (which was today).

The one hvac guy who had called me back, didn't call back again after I left him a message (part number, and to order if under $30).  I figured I'd be willing to do twice the price to "buy local".  He called today to say he DID in fact have ignitors in stock, but it was a universal one so I'd have to wire the plug to match what I needed, change out the mount, etc.  So, extra work for me.  No big deal though, it would still give me an extra.

He was working on a house three blocks away, so I drove over on my way to town.  He showed it to me, and I asked him how much.  $89!?  I told him I didn't have that much, I'd only brought $30 cash.  He said no, so I left without it and bought my backup on amazon when I got home.  I could get five of these (free shipping, exact match) for the cost of his one, that I'd have to spend time modifying to make it fit.

So, I didn't get to support the local guy, but I saved a lot of money!  (The new part arrived this afternoon, and my furnace is now working )

[weltschmerz]

I thought I would save money by not leaving the house today, as it's colder than the proverbial Wiccan mammary.

DS shoveled my car out from under 12 feet of snow last night, It took him two hours. Today it was buried again by snowplows cleaning peoples' driveways. The city plows were going by and I got towed, because DS wasn't home and I can't shovel with my bad back.

$110.00

I was really pissed.

[Jaguar]

Jan 15, 2018 22:44:36 GMT -5 weltschmerz said:

I thought I would save money by not leaving the house today, as it's colder than the proverbial Wiccan mammary.

DS shoveled my car out from under 12 feet of snow last night, It took him two hours. Today it was buried again by snowplows cleaning peoples' driveways. The city plows were going by and I got towed, because DS wasn't home and I can't shovel with my bad back.

$110.00

I was really pissed.

Oh ouch!

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

We got our car washed today, for free. (It was one of the perks from the Mercedes dealership where we bought our Lincoln Navigator last summer).

[Blonde Granny]

Today I plan to stay put in my Cudl Duds new fleece set I bought from QVC a week ago. Fuzzy warm socks and a wonderful snuggly throw over me and I'm going to continue watching The Crown on Netflix. The rest of the population can venture out today, but not me. And I'm thinking tomorrow isn't looking good either for me to go to the VA at 6 AM when it's 0 outside.

[Iggy aka IG]

Saved 28% off my grocery store order last night by using coupons, e-coupons, and shopping the sales.  It's a tight month commission wise, so my budget was $200 instead of my usual $300.  I spent $188*.    However, the remaining $$ will be spent at WalMart for a few planned items.  *How I do this is next to the item on my list, I round the price up or down at .50.  Generally, the money I save with coupons equals the tax.  And, yes, I realize I could use my phone for this, but I'm old school. 

Oh, and when the grocery store jacks up the price then advertises "Buy One Get One Free" on the item?  Grrrrr

Niece2's 16th (!!!!!) birthday celebration is this Saturday, so instead of going to her basketball game Thursday, and driving down again two days later, I'll wait.  (They live an hour away and this will save on fuel.)

Not really saving because I'll be spending a bit, but a friend who is liquidating household items has some side tables and a corner cabinet which happens to match several of our living room pieces.  Instead of $150 each retail, she's selling the side tables to me for $25 each.  The corner cabinet, which is currently on sale for $322 originally $420, she's selling to me for $75!!!!!!!!!  I'm going to surprise DH for our early "anniversary of meeting each other" which is in March.
Y'all are doing a fantastic job! 

[weltschmerz]

I love Schwarzkopf Miracle Oil Mist. My hair is so dry with electric heating. 

Anyway, I usually pay about $15 a bottle for it. Found it at the Dollar Store for $4.

Exact same thing, made in Germany.

Score!!

[Apple]

Joann Fabrics sent me a $10 electronic gift card.  I've been waiting on a fabric order to show up for a class, but it's now on back order and looks like it might not show up in time (from another store).  Fat quarters were on sale for 99 cents each, so I got 11 of them, in coordinating grey/black/white and only paid 89 cents!  It's just shy of three yards of fabric.  I'll dig through my stash and find red, blue, or green to go with it to complete the set I'll need for class (I already cut 42 10" squares of white fabric for my solids).

It sucks that I might not get the fabric I ordered, because it's a very cool mix of blue fabrics, and I bought it for about half price, but I'll make do.

[vetswife]

I haven't really saved any other than not spending any extra.  I did order some inserts for my shoes but they will last a long time.  We've been using up food in the pantry and freezer also.

[Apple]

Today's plans: Ribs from the freezer are in the smoker.  Will make mashed potatoes and homemade gravy (using my homemade beef broth) to go with.  

Go see a movie with the moviepass.  I wish our town did more movies, as this has been a great way to see them.  

Return bottles at Grocery Outlet.  More things are requiring a deposit now, so I'm cutting back even more on buying prepared drinks.  

I had bought some (amazing) hot pickled asparagus.  I finished one jar, so I decided to hard boil a couple eggs before they went bad, and put them in the leftover "juice".  I have a few more jars, so I may put some more vegetables in them as they are used up.

[grits]

I am eating what is here at home. I am cutting back on what I eat to loose 5 lbs, and it's really helping cut eating out bills. 

[Iggy aka IG]

An unplanned trip to the big city yesterday.  Niece2 just started a salon academy and needed a model.  The mani-pedi was free, though I did tip her $10.   Yes, I'm out the fuel, but I've encouraged her to go to this school since before high school graduation, and to follow her dream, so this is the least I can do for her.

While in the big city, I bought fuel using my grocery value card to save 20 cents a gallon.  Fuel is cheaper there than in our little town.

Went to Wally World this morning and the cashier was so busy yapping with her co-worker she forgot to give me my change.  You bet I stood there waiting for my 3 cents!  Instead of doing what they're supposed to do to re-open the cash drawer, she handed me a dime from whoknowswhere.  7 cents profit.  LOL!

[weltschmerz]

Jan 18, 2018 11:01:53 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

An unplanned trip to the big city yesterday.  Niece2 just started a salon academy and needed a model.  The mani-pedi was free, though I did tip her $10.   Yes, I'm out the fuel, but I've encouraged her to go to this school since before high school graduation, and to follow her dream, so this is the least I can do for her.

While in the big city, I bought fuel using my grocery value card to save 20 cents a gallon.  Fuel is cheaper there than in our little town.

Went to Wally World this morning and the cashier was so busy yapping with her co-worker she forgot to give me my change.  You bet I stood there waiting for my 3 cents!  Instead of doing what they're supposed to do to re-open the cash drawer, she handed me a dime from whoknowswhere.  7 cents profit.  LOL!

3 cents? We got rid of pennies a long time ago.

[weltschmerz]

It costs more to make a penny than a penny is worth.

time.com/money/4618271/penny-cost-make-worth/

[Apple]

This week has pretty much been a win.  I've avoided the fabric buying for the most part (I did have to order different fabric for my class, looks like the stuff I ordered won't get here on time, if at all.  But, it was still a good deal and still under budget for the month).

Work lunches have been scrounged from the pantry and freezer.  I've felt especially uninspired this week as I'm coming off nights and am just exhausted.  I'm glad we have a kitchen at work so I can cook!

Filled the car with gas, using a 10 cents off/gallon reward.  

Avoided temptation to grab something from the grocery store deli last night, and fried up some crab rangoon when I got home instead (my son made the filling and picked up the wonton wrappers while I was at work).

[Deleted]

I went to Michael's today and spent about $17.  For that I got two mini-poster frames, a photo frame, and wall art that says "My dog loves me" for the sunroom.  I did spend money, but I saved $24 with coupons/discounts.  All of these were planned purchases except the $2 dog wall art.  Abby made me do it. 

[Apple]

I hard boiled and pickled a couple more eggs before they went bad (to save the eggs, and use the pickled asparagus "juice").

I'll be making pizza dough for dinner soon, and we'll just use whatever we have on hand for toppings (probably chicken and bacon, onions for DS, unless he comes up with some other weird combo again).

Downloaded some coupons for eggs and milk (88 cents for a dozen eggs, and 99 cents for a half gallon of milk).

[midjd]

I’ve been looking for a used bike forever, it seems... $100 was my upper limit, but the used market seems to consist of $25 beat-to-crap bikes and $150 fancy ones with not much in between.

DD and I were killing time at Target and I stumbled across a clearance 28” hybrid Schwinn, originally $210, marked down to $65.99. I tried the floor model and one rim was slightly bent, but the one hanging from the ceiling rack was perfect.

So now I have a new bike for $35 less than I was willing to pay for a used one. Took DD out on the bike trailer earlier (it’s in the fifties today) and she had a great time. My next order of business is to find DH a bike so he can be the one to tow DD... she’s heavy!

[TheOtherMe]

Went online and changed my Dish package.  The only channel I will miss is Animal Planet.  There is only one show on Animal Planet that I watch.  I can up the package when it is on for 6 episodes and save $100 a year.

[Iggy aka IG]

Looking good, everyone!  Apple , the crab rangoon sounds delicious!  @bamafan1954 , excellent savings at Michael's!  midjd , congrats on the new bike.  Good job, TheOtherMe !

A bunch of little savings lately.  Was out of town over the weekend for niece2's birthday party.  Her and my dad's birthday cards were purchased at the grocery store last week with a coupon saving $2.  I bought one of niece's gifts on clearance via Amazon last month.

We needed water for the (free) hotel room (normally we would have brought it form home, but we're out of portable gallon jugs).  It was $2 at the liquor store for a small bottle!  We stopped in at our favorite grocery store and I bought a gallon of water and 2 Powerade Zeros for $2.

Also while in the big city:
We used Christmas gift cards for Outback Saturday, and Starbucks yesterday.  Our cost for a steak and lobster lunch?  $0. 

DH had to buy new work boots, which aren't cheap.  However, his company reimburses employees.

DH fueled up on the way home because gasoline is cheaper in the big city vs our small town.

And I bought 2 new to me phones for the office.  My current phones are from Radio Shack bought 14+ years ago when I started my agency.  These are fancy AT&T models with caller ID, call display, etc.  I just looked them up and I saved 50% from buying from a FB acquaintance vs buying brand new!  Plus a write off.

First World Problem!  We have way too many leftovers and dined on some last night for supper.  We brought home a very full take out container from the party, the HUGE cinnamon roll and hash browns from my brunch meal yesterday, and leftover steak from DH's Saturday meal.  I froze the two enchiladas I made last week since DH couldn't get to them in time.

We've kept the heat down at home.  I baked a crust-less quiche yesterday which helped warm it up a bit.

[TheOtherMe]

I'm glad I studied the various Dish packages and determined there was only Animal Planet on the higher tier that I even watch.  Why have I had it for that long.

I am going to an out of town concert in March.  I am staying two nights for free.  Right now, the brand has a promotion that you get 2000 extra points for each stay.  Free nights count if you buy anything and charge it to the room.  I will buy an overpriced bottle of water to get the 2000 points.

[Sharon]

Mom and I scored a good deal on the cabin we were planning on staying at in April.  This is a small privately owned place that has small park models for rent in a nicely wooded area.  Five of the cabins face the river and the others are tucked among the trees.  We like to stay in one of the cabins that faces the river and have been going to this place for many, many years.  The original owner knew we were regulars and we started getting the Heather discount several years ago.  When Heather brought in a manager to help her, after her Dad passed, we were still getting the discount from him.  The place sold a couple years ago and the manager stayed on and he continued to give us this discount.  The new owners have raised the prices significantly and we weren't sure if we were going to be able to continue staying there.

Mom made reservations a year ago April when we were checking out for this coming year.  The lady who was working the office didn't give her the discount.  With taxes etc it was pushing close to $200 a night and the new owners are pushing a 3 night minimum.  Mom and I were debating cancelling the reservation due to the cost.  That was just too much for each of us to spend.

This weekend I was messing around on FB and saw that they were offering a special, good through end of April, of stay 2 nights and get the 3rd night free.  It would be summer rates, not winter rates.  Mom called today to ask whether we could get that discount.  She got the old manager that knows us.  Not only did she get the  1 night free she got the Heather discount.  We are going to be able to spend three nights there for a total of $300.  That includes taxes and everything.  That is half the cost of what the weekend would have originally been.  Mom likes to go over on Thurs. and home on Sunday.

Because of these being park model cabins they have a full kitchen etc.  We always take our own food and usually only eat 1 meal out.  That I can afford.

[countrygirl2]

I haven't done anything to save the last few days but I will. I'm wanting new carpets this year so need

to put money back for them.